Environmental, Energy, and Resource Economics Minor

The environmental, energy, and resource economics minor studies the interrelationship between the economy and the environment. With the courses in this minor, you’ll also examine the role of sustainability in business and economic development.

After completing prerequisites in introductory economics, you’ll dive into foundational coursework that connects economic theories to the environment, energy, and natural resources. Learn about the business case for sustainable practices and how organizational decisions can affect the economy and environment.

Who’s eligible for the environmental, energy, and resource economics minor?

All Cornell undergraduates except students enrolled in Dyson

How many credits are required?

18 credits (9 must be AEM) on topics like microeconomics, macroeconomics, and the business of energy

I’m interested. What’s next?

After reviewing the requirements below and our FAQ and policies page, you can begin the process using the Business Minors Dashboard.

Current students:

Prerequisites for the environmental, energy, and resource economics minor

You are required to complete 6 prerequisite credits in microeconomics and macroeconomics before you can begin the core courses for the applied economics minor. Transfer and AP credits can be applied toward these prerequisite courses.

You must complete (or have transfer/AP credits) for the following two courses before beginning the minor.

ECON 1110

Introductory Microeconomics

ECON 1120

Introductory Macroeconomics

Core requirements for the environmental, energy, and resource economics minor

The core for the environmental, energy, and resource economics minor includes 12 credits. Keep in mind that 9 of these 12 credits must be fulfilled with AEM courses.

All core courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. Transfer courses are not permitted for core requirements. Students may not “double count” courses that overlap with other AEM minors—the course you choose can only count toward one minor. To count toward your 6 AEM credits, a course must have the AEM course code.

Two of the following courses are required for the environmental, energy, and resource economics minor.

ECON 3030

Intermediate Microeconomic Theory

AEM 2500

Environmental and Resource Economics

AEM 2600

Managerial Economics

Two of the following three courses are required.

AEM 4500

Resource Economics

AEM 4510

Environmental Economics

AEM 4515

Business and Economics of Energy

Featured Course: Resource Economics

AEM 4500 – Resource Economics introduces you to the economics of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources. In this course, you’ll cover the valuation and use of land; water economics, management, and conservation; fishery economics; forest use; and sustainability. Use dynamic models to analyze decision-making over time and connect business to natural resources.